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Verstappen Turns Pit Lane Purgatory Into Podium Glory As Norris Extends Lead In Brazil

SAO PAULO, BRAZIL – NOVEMBER 09: Max Verstappen of the Netherlands driving the (1) Oracle Red Bull Racing RB21 on track during the F1 Grand Prix of Brazil at Autodromo Jose Carlos Pace on November 09, 2025 in Sao Paulo, Brazil. (Photo by Peter Fox/Getty Images)

Lando Norris may have taken the trophy in São Paulo, but it was Max Verstappen who stole the show — the Dutchman turning what looked like a weekend fit for the scrapyard into a masterclass in relentless defiance.

The Red Bull driver started from the pit lane after Saturday’s troubles in qualifying and still clawed his way through the field like a man chasing down his own reputation. By the flag, he was staring at the rear wing of rookie Kimi Antonelli’s Mercedes in third place, just ten seconds behind Norris, who had enjoyed a relatively serene Sunday out front.

“I had to overtake some cars, of course, coming from the pit lane,” Verstappen said afterward, still looking mildly astonished at himself. “To be on the podium from there… I didn’t expect that at all, even with a puncture at the beginning. It’s an incredible result for us. We never give up — we always try to find more lap time.”

Norris, meanwhile, was in a different world. From pole to flag, he barely put a wheel wrong — unless you count the celebratory burnout. “It was an amazing race,” he said, dedicating the win to the late Gil de Ferran. “This one was for him — I’m sure he’d be very proud. A perfect weekend.”

Perfect, except perhaps for the chaos behind him. Oscar Piastri tried to pass Antonelli early on, locked up, and used the Mercedes like a billiard cushion, punting Charles Leclerc’s Ferrari into early retirement. The ensuing Safety Cars, punctures, and penalties turned the race into a strategic minefield. Verstappen caught one of those mines himself, picked up a slow puncture, and dropped back — only to fight through again on fresh mediums, then gamble late on softs and charge like a man possessed.

SAO PAULO, BRAZIL – NOVEMBER 9: Lando Norris of McLaren competes during the F1 Grand Prix of Sao Paulo at Autodromo Jose Carlos Pace in Sao Paulo, Brazil on November 9, 2025. (Photo by Stringer/Anadolu via Getty Images)

“I was just trying to pass as fast as possible,” Verstappen explained. “Some cars were in a DRS train so it’s not always straightforward. With all that, to finish only ten seconds from the lead — that’s incredible.”

Behind the leading trio, George Russell kept Piastri at bay for fourth, while Ollie Bearman delivered another eye-catching run to sixth for Haas. Racing Bulls teammates Liam Lawson and Isack Hadjar finished nose-to-tail in seventh and eighth, their final-lap wheel-banging given a merciful pass by the stewards.

For Ferrari, it was a weekend to forget — both cars retired, and both hopes of a Constructors’ comeback went up in smoke. Mercedes now leapfrogs them in the standings, with Red Bull only a few points behind.

But the real story in Brazil wasn’t the math. It was Verstappen, the man who started the race looking like a spare part at a pit stop, finishing it like he owned the place.

In a season where Lando Norris is beginning to look unstoppable, Verstappen’s drive was a reminder — you can never count out the champ, even when he starts from nowhere.

SAO PAULO, BRAZIL – NOVEMBER 09: Race winner Lando Norris of Great Britain and McLaren Second placed Andrea Kimi Antonelli of Italy and Mercedes AMG Petronas F1 Team Third placed Max Verstappen of the Netherlands and Oracle Red Bull Racing and Mark Norris, Director of Commercial Trackside Operations at McLaren on the podium during the F1 Grand Prix of Brazil at Autodromo Jose Carlos Pace on November 09, 2025 in Sao Paulo, Brazil. (Photo by Mark Thompson/Getty Images)

 

FORMULA 1 GRANDE PRÊMIO DE SÃO PAULO 2025 – RACE RESULT

Pos. No. Driver Team Laps Time / Retired Pts.
1 4 Lando Norris McLaren 71 1:32:01.596 25
2 12 Kimi Antonelli Mercedes 71 +10.388s 18
3 1 Max Verstappen Red Bull Racing 71 +10.750s 15
4 63 George Russell Mercedes 71 +15.267s 12
5 81 Oscar Piastri McLaren 71 +15.749s 10
6 87 Oliver Bearman Haas F1 Team 71 +29.630s 8
7 30 Liam Lawson Racing Bulls 71 +52.642s 6
8 6 Isack Hadjar Racing Bulls 71 +52.873s 4
9 27 Nico Hulkenberg Kick Sauber 71 +53.324s 2
10 10 Pierre Gasly Alpine 71 +53.914s 1
11 23 Alexander Albon Williams 71 +54.184s 0
12 31 Esteban Ocon Haas F1 Team 71 +54.696s 0
13 55 Carlos Sainz Williams 71 +55.420s 0
14 14 Fernando Alonso Aston Martin 71 +55.766s 0
15 43 Franco Colapinto Alpine 71 +57.777s 0
16 18 Lance Stroll Aston Martin 71 +58.247s 0
17 22 Yuki Tsunoda Red Bull Racing 71 +69.176s 0
NC 44 Lewis Hamilton Ferrari 37 DNF 0
NC 16 Charles Leclerc Ferrari 5 DNF 0
NC 5  Gabriel Bortoleto Kick Sauber 0 DNF 0
Greg Engle
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